Student Spotlight: Olivia Marr (’26 Health Sciences) One Opportunity at a Time: How Chapman Shaped Her Path to Medicine

What is your grad year and major/minor? I am graduating in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a minor in Neuroscience.

What’s one unexpected opportunity or experience you’ve had at Chapman that you never imagined before enrolling? The most unexpected part of my Chapman experience has been how quickly one opportunity turned into another. Most recently, I was invited to speak at Preview Day as a student panelist representing the Class of 2026 following President Parlow’s welcome speech. Before that, I presented scientific research at the business school’s AI Impact Summit, where I had the opportunity to connect with professionals, including the Consul General of India in Los Angeles and others, across a wide range of disciplines.Those are just a few recent examples of opportunities I never would have imagined for myself before coming to Chapman.

Can you share a moment when a professor, advisor, or classmate made a big difference in your college journey? There are endless individuals who have made a difference in my journey, and I have been shaped by mentors who believed in me long before I had the confidence or experience to believe in myself. Dr. Caroline Wilson’s constant encouragement and guidance over the years changed the way I saw myself as a member of our community and gave me the support and resources I needed to pursue my growing passion for healthcare. Dr. Fred Caporaso encouragement for me step into an unexpected leadership role in Chess Club strengthened my discipline, creativity, and identity beyond the classroom.

Across campus and beyond, mentors including Kenneth Sumida, Carolyn Brodbeck, Oscar Yustman, Amy Aldana, Frank Frisch, Murajli Manjura, Pradip K. Shukla, Roxane Teboul, Christine Crispen, Adena Hamlin, Nicole Olguin, Daniel Dries, Elise Camino, Anthony Lemus, Erik Linstead, Sharief Taraman, Timothy Flannery, Adam Kalawi, Debra Beaugard, Victor Arteaga, Riley Kendall and Rishikesh Chavan each invested in my growth academically, personally, and professionally. At Randall Dining Hall, Chef Jim and the late Chef Brian helped me safely manage my severe food allergies, giving me a sense of security and independence that allowed me to fully focus on my goals. During long nights in the library, Ms. Bedonie’s encouragement helped keep me motivated. Because of these individuals, along with my family, I was able to truly thrive throughout my undergraduate experience.

What’s your favorite hidden gem on campus or around town that new students should check out?

On campus, I recommend to study on the third floor of the library to watch the sun set over the field; off campus, I recommend Pitcher Park, where the tables have chess boards built right in!

What activities or organizations were most meaningful to you at Chapman? Serving as the first female president of Chess Club, being selected to join Chapman’s First Aid Team, going through formal sorority recruitment to join my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, volunteering in the hospital every weekend, serving as an Anatomy Lab intern for Dr. Wilson, and interning through the MI4 program at Rady Children’s Health became the most meaningful ways I have spent my time at Chapman. Chess Club and Dr. Caporoso provided me the opportunity to lead, mentor students, and help build a community. Kappa gave me the best Greek family I could have asked for and some of the most fun experiences, along with friendships and memories that I will carry with me long after Chapman. The First Aid Team taught me how to remain calm under pressure, strengthen my clinical skills, and work alongside others in different settings. Working as an Anatomy Lab intern has been especially meaningful because it allowed me to support students through a course that I had once struggled with myself and grew tremendously from. Volunteering at the local hospital over the years has continually reinforced my desire to pursue medicine because, every week, I found purpose in serving causes much greater than myself. My time in the MI4 summer internship at Rady Children’s Health (formerly CHOC) taught me the value of innovation, physician mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

If you could describe your Chapman experience in one word, what would it be—and why?

Authentic. I committed to Chapman as a senior in high school after my father and I unexpectedly walked into Dr. Caroline Wilson’s neuroanatomy office hours. While our visit was unplanned, Dr. Wilson spoke with us with such genuine enthusiasm and investment that I immediately knew she was the kind of person I wanted to learn from and the kind of professor I hoped was representative of the Chapman community. Four years later, I can confidently say that intuition was right. My first semester challenged me in ways I never anticipated and caused me to rebuild my confidence and sense of direction from the ground up. During that time, the people around me never defined me by those struggles. Instead, mentors encouraged me to continue pursuing the things I was genuinely curious and passionate about. With my interests and commitments spanning very different fields, I always felt supported in exploring all sides of myself without feeling pressured to narrow who I was or what I cared about. To me, Chapman is authentic because it gave me the people, support, and environment that allowed me to fully grow into myself while simultaneously discovering how I wanted to contribute to the world around me and beyond.

What are your future plans after graduation?

This fall, I will attend Vanderbilt University to pursue a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences. Before starting graduate school, I plan to spend as much time as possible with my parents and my dog in between my new role as an after-school chess coach for children and visiting friends across different states. But, I have learned that the best parts of life rarely go according to plan.

Congratulations Olivia!!